can beauty point us to god? a posteriori argument: reasoning from beauty back to god

Can Beauty Point Us to God?Can Beauty Point Us to God?

A Posteriori Argument:A Posteriori Argument:Reasoning from beauty back to God Reasoning from beauty back to God

www.prshockley.org

Consider this quote from Plato who was the father & fiercest Consider this quote from Plato who was the father & fiercest critic of aesthetics, that is, the philosophy of beauty:critic of aesthetics, that is, the philosophy of beauty:

Now if a man believes in the existence of Now if a man believes in the existence of beautiful things, but not of Beauty itself, and beautiful things, but not of Beauty itself, and cannot follow a guide who would lead him to a cannot follow a guide who would lead him to a knowledge of it, is he not living in a dream?" knowledge of it, is he not living in a dream?" Plato's Plato's RepublicRepublic, 476c., 476c.

An Introduction:An Introduction:

Is it reasonable to believe that beauty points us to Is it reasonable to believe that beauty points us to God? Or is beauty merely in the eye of the beholder? God? Or is beauty merely in the eye of the beholder?

While not discounting the possibility of a subjective While not discounting the possibility of a subjective aspect to beauty, subjectivity does not automatically aspect to beauty, subjectivity does not automatically mean the non-existence of objective beauty or that mean the non-existence of objective beauty or that objectivity is necessarily oppositional to subjectivity. objectivity is necessarily oppositional to subjectivity. Could it be that both objective beauty and subjective Could it be that both objective beauty and subjective beauty are co-extensive (i.e., two sides of a coin)?beauty are co-extensive (i.e., two sides of a coin)?

How had I got this idea of beauty and ugliness? A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. What was I comparing object X with when I called it ugly?

Straight Line = Standard

The Standard of Validity

Argument from Aesthetic Normativity for Argument from Aesthetic Normativity for God’s Existence:God’s Existence:

1.1. It appears to human beings that aesthetic It appears to human beings that aesthetic normativity exists. normativity exists.

2.2. The best explanation of aesthetic normativity The best explanation of aesthetic normativity is that it is grounded in God. is that it is grounded in God.

3.3. Therefore God exists. Therefore God exists.

Argument from Universal Signatures of Beauty for God’s Argument from Universal Signatures of Beauty for God’s Existence:Existence:

1.1. Universal signatures of beauty exists. Universal signatures of beauty exists.

2.2. Universal signatures have the properties of being Universal signatures have the properties of being objective.objective.

3.3. The best explanation of there being universal The best explanation of there being universal signatures of beauty is provided by theism. signatures of beauty is provided by theism.

4.4. Therefore the existence of universal signatures of Therefore the existence of universal signatures of beauty provides good grounds for thinking theism beauty provides good grounds for thinking theism is true.is true.

Evidences of Aesthetic Normativity: Evidences of Aesthetic Normativity: Universal Signatures of Art:Universal Signatures of Art:

In his article, “Aesthetic Universals,” Denis In his article, “Aesthetic Universals,” Denis Hutton brilliantly contends that there are Hutton brilliantly contends that there are universal features of art that everyone shares. universal features of art that everyone shares. These features transcend our cultural These features transcend our cultural boundaries because they are “rooted in our boundaries because they are “rooted in our common humanity.” common humanity.”

Universal Signatures Include:Universal Signatures Include:

1.1. Expertise or virtuosityExpertise or virtuosity, namely, specialized , namely, specialized and technical skills, are noticed in societies and technical skills, are noticed in societies and are generally admired; certain individuals and are generally admired; certain individuals stand out by virtue of their talents and are stand out by virtue of their talents and are honored for it. honored for it.


2.2. Non-utilitarian pleasureNon-utilitarian pleasure. Whether story, . Whether story, object, visual, music, or fine art performances, object, visual, music, or fine art performances, object X is viewed as a source of pleasure in object X is viewed as a source of pleasure in itself, rather than as a practical tool or source itself, rather than as a practical tool or source of knowledge. of knowledge.


3.3. StyleStyle. Art objects and performances including . Art objects and performances including fictional or poetic narratives, are made in fictional or poetic narratives, are made in recognizable styles, according to rules of form recognizable styles, according to rules of form and composition. and composition.


4.4. CriticismCriticism. There exists some kind of . There exists some kind of indigenous critical language of judgment and indigenous critical language of judgment and appreciation, simple or elaborate, that is appreciation, simple or elaborate, that is applied to arts. The development of a critical applied to arts. The development of a critical vocabulary and discourse, including criteria vocabulary and discourse, including criteria for excellence, mediocrity, for excellence, mediocrity, competence/incompetence, and for failure, is competence/incompetence, and for failure, is intrinsic to almost all human activities outside intrinsic to almost all human activities outside of art.of art.


5.5. ImitationImitation. In widely varying degrees of naturalism, . In widely varying degrees of naturalism, art objects, including sculptures, paintings, and oral art objects, including sculptures, paintings, and oral narratives, represent or imitate real and imaginary narratives, represent or imitate real and imaginary experience of the world. The differences between experience of the world. The differences between naturalistic representation, highly stylized naturalistic representation, highly stylized representation, and non-imitative symbolism is representation, and non-imitative symbolism is generally understood by artists and their audiences. generally understood by artists and their audiences. (Blueprints, newspaper stories pictures, passport (Blueprints, newspaper stories pictures, passport photographs, and road maps are equally imitations or photographs, and road maps are equally imitations or representations. While imitation is important to much representations. While imitation is important to much art — notable exceptions being abstract painting and art — notable exceptions being abstract painting and music — its significance extends into all areas human music — its significance extends into all areas human intellectual life.) intellectual life.)


6.6. “Special” focus“Special” focus. Works of art and artistic . Works of art and artistic performances are frequently bracketed off from performances are frequently bracketed off from ordinary life, made a special and dramatic focus of ordinary life, made a special and dramatic focus of experience. These objects or performance occasions experience. These objects or performance occasions are often imbued with intense emotion and sense of are often imbued with intense emotion and sense of community. They frequently involve the combining community. They frequently involve the combining of many different art forms, such as chanting, of many different art forms, such as chanting, dancing, body decoration, and dramatic lighting in dancing, body decoration, and dramatic lighting in the case of New Guinea sing-sings. (Outside of art, or the case of New Guinea sing-sings. (Outside of art, or at its fringes, political rallies, sporting events, public at its fringes, political rallies, sporting events, public ceremonies such as coronations and weddings, and ceremonies such as coronations and weddings, and religious meetings of all sorts also invoke a sense of religious meetings of all sorts also invoke a sense of specialness).specialness).


(7) (7) Imaginative ExperienceImaginative Experience::

The experience of art is an imaginative experience for both The experience of art is an imaginative experience for both producers and audiences. The carving may realistically producers and audiences. The carving may realistically represent an animal, but as a sculpture it becomes an represent an animal, but as a sculpture it becomes an imaginative object. The same can be said of any story well imaginative object. The same can be said of any story well told, whether ancient mythology or personal anecdote. A told, whether ancient mythology or personal anecdote. A passionate dance performance has an imaginative element not passionate dance performance has an imaginative element not to be found in the group exercise of factory workers. Art of all to be found in the group exercise of factory workers. Art of all kinds happens in the theatre of the imagination: it is raised kinds happens in the theatre of the imagination: it is raised from the mundane practical world to become an imaginative from the mundane practical world to become an imaginative experience. (At the mundane level, imagination in problem-experience. (At the mundane level, imagination in problem-solving, planning, hypothesising, inferring the mental states of solving, planning, hypothesising, inferring the mental states of others, or merely in day-dreaming is practically co-extensive others, or merely in day-dreaming is practically co-extensive with normal human conscious life.)with normal human conscious life.)

Argument from Normative Aesthetic Argument from Normative Aesthetic Experience for God’s Existence:Experience for God’s Existence:

1.1. It appears to human beings that normative It appears to human beings that normative (transcultural) aesthetic experiences occur. (transcultural) aesthetic experiences occur.

2.2. The best explanation for aesthetic normative The best explanation for aesthetic normative experiences (transcultural) is that it is experiences (transcultural) is that it is grounded in God. grounded in God.

3.3. Therefore God exists. Therefore God exists.

Argument from Aesthetic Order for God’s Argument from Aesthetic Order for God’s Existence:Existence:

1.1. Beauty is a rational enterprise. Beauty is a rational enterprise.

2.2. Beauty would not be a rational enterprise if there Beauty would not be a rational enterprise if there were no aesthetic order in the world. were no aesthetic order in the world.

3.3. Only the existence of God traditionally conceived Only the existence of God traditionally conceived could support the hypothesis that there is an could support the hypothesis that there is an aesthetic order in the world. aesthetic order in the world.

Therefore, there is a God. Therefore, there is a God.

An argument from Beauty to God:An argument from Beauty to God:

1. There must be objective beauty; otherwise: 1. There must be objective beauty; otherwise:

(a) There would not be such great agreement on its meaning.(a) There would not be such great agreement on its meaning.

(b) No real disagreements of beauty would ever have occurred, each (b) No real disagreements of beauty would ever have occurred, each person being right from his own perspective. person being right from his own perspective.

(c) No value judgment of beauty would ever have been wrong, each being (c) No value judgment of beauty would ever have been wrong, each being subjectively right. subjectively right.

(d) No question of beauty could ever be discussed, there being no objective (d) No question of beauty could ever be discussed, there being no objective understanding of beautyunderstanding of beauty

(e) Contradictory views would both be right, since opposites could be (e) Contradictory views would both be right, since opposites could be equally correct.equally correct.

An Argument from Beauty to God:An Argument from Beauty to God:

2. Objective beauty is beyond individual persons and beyond 2. Objective beauty is beyond individual persons and beyond humanity as a whole: humanity as a whole:

(a) It is beyond individual persons, since they often sense a (a) It is beyond individual persons, since they often sense a conflict with beauty/ugliness;conflict with beauty/ugliness;

(b) It is beyond humanity as a whole, for they collectively (b) It is beyond humanity as a whole, for they collectively fall short of beauty and measure the progress of civilization fall short of beauty and measure the progress of civilization by its art-forms in terms of beauty.by its art-forms in terms of beauty.

An Argument from Beauty to God:An Argument from Beauty to God:

3. 3. Objective beauty must come from an objective Mind of beauty Objective beauty must come from an objective Mind of beauty because: because:

(a) Beauty has no meaning unless it comes from a mind; only (a) Beauty has no meaning unless it comes from a mind; only minds emit meaning. minds emit meaning.

(b) Beauty is meaningless unless it is a meeting of mind with (b) Beauty is meaningless unless it is a meeting of mind with mind, yet people inherently desire to experience beauty.mind, yet people inherently desire to experience beauty.

(c) Hence, discovery of and desire for beauty make sense only (c) Hence, discovery of and desire for beauty make sense only if there is a Mind or Person behind it.if there is a Mind or Person behind it.

4. 4. Therefore, there must be a beautiful, personal Mind behind Therefore, there must be a beautiful, personal Mind behind objective beauty.objective beauty.

Idealist Argument from Beauty to God’s Idealist Argument from Beauty to God’s Existence:Existence:

1. There is objective beauty that is independent of human 1. There is objective beauty that is independent of human consciousness of it and that exists in spite of human lack of consciousness of it and that exists in spite of human lack of conformity to it: conformity to it:

(a) Persons are conscious of beauty beyond themselves; (a) Persons are conscious of beauty beyond themselves; (b) Persons admit its validity is prior to their recognition of it; (b) Persons admit its validity is prior to their recognition of it; (c) Persons acknowledge its claim on them, even while not (c) Persons acknowledge its claim on them, even while not yielding to it; yielding to it; (d) no finite mind completely grasps its significance; (d) no finite mind completely grasps its significance; (e) all finite minds together have not reached complete (e) all finite minds together have not reached complete agreement on its meaning, nor conformity with its ideal.agreement on its meaning, nor conformity with its ideal.

An Idealist Argument from Beauty to An Idealist Argument from Beauty to God’s Existence:God’s Existence:

““

2. But ideas exist only in minds.2. But ideas exist only in minds.

3. Therefore, there must be a supreme Mind (beyond all 3. Therefore, there must be a supreme Mind (beyond all finite minds) in which this objective beauty exists.finite minds) in which this objective beauty exists.

Argument from Objective Beauty to an Absolute Mind:Argument from Objective Beauty to an Absolute Mind:Beginning with the objectivity of beauty, one may reason to an Beginning with the objectivity of beauty, one may reason to an

absolutely perfect Mind:absolutely perfect Mind:

1. An absolutely perfect ideal of beauty exists (at least 1. An absolutely perfect ideal of beauty exists (at least psychologically in our minds).psychologically in our minds).

2. An absolutely perfect idea of beauty can exist only if there is 2. An absolutely perfect idea of beauty can exist only if there is an absolutely perfect Mind of beauty: an absolutely perfect Mind of beauty:

(a) Ideas can exist only if there are minds (thoughts depend on (a) Ideas can exist only if there are minds (thoughts depend on thinkers). thinkers).

(b) And absolute ideas depend on an absolute Mind (not on (b) And absolute ideas depend on an absolute Mind (not on individual [finite] minds like ours).individual [finite] minds like ours).

3. Hence, it is rationally necessary to postulate an absolute Mind 3. Hence, it is rationally necessary to postulate an absolute Mind as the basis for the absolutely perfect idea of beauty.as the basis for the absolutely perfect idea of beauty.

1.1. Value judgments of aesthetics is a rational enterprise. Value judgments of aesthetics is a rational enterprise.

2.2. Value judgments would not be a rational if skepticism were Value judgments would not be a rational if skepticism were true. true.

3.3. There is too much unresolved disagreement for us to suppose There is too much unresolved disagreement for us to suppose that skepticism can be avoided if human sources of aesthetic that skepticism can be avoided if human sources of aesthetic value judgments are all that we have. value judgments are all that we have.

4.4. Therefore we must assume that there is an extra-human, Therefore we must assume that there is an extra-human, divine source of aesthetic value judgments. divine source of aesthetic value judgments.

An Argument from Value Judgments:

This argument is rooted in the idea that a naturalistic worldview entails skepticism.

A Practical Argument from Objective Beauty for A Practical Argument from Objective Beauty for God’s Existence:God’s Existence:

1.1. It would be demoralizing not to believe there is It would be demoralizing not to believe there is objective beauty.objective beauty.

2.2. Demoralization is morally undesirable. Demoralization is morally undesirable.

3.3. There is a moral advantage in believing that there is There is a moral advantage in believing that there is objective beauty. objective beauty.

4.4. Theism provides the best theory of the source of Theism provides the best theory of the source of beauty. beauty.

5.5. Therefore there is a moral advantage in accepting Therefore there is a moral advantage in accepting theism. theism.

Argument from human design of beauty by Argument from human design of beauty by Blaise Pascal:Blaise Pascal:

"Man does not like to remain alone; and as he loves, "Man does not like to remain alone; and as he loves, he must look elsewhere for an object for his love. He he must look elsewhere for an object for his love. He can find it only in beauty. Since, however, he is can find it only in beauty. Since, however, he is himself the most beautiful creature that God has himself the most beautiful creature that God has created, he must find within himself a model for the created, he must find within himself a model for the beauty he seeks beyond himself." beauty he seeks beyond himself."

~ Blaise Pascal, ~ Blaise Pascal, Discours sur les passions d'armouDiscours sur les passions d'armour, r, Oeuvres completes (ed. de la Pleiade, 1954, 539-40).Oeuvres completes (ed. de la Pleiade, 1954, 539-40).

Existential Hunger for the Extraordinary?Existential Hunger for the Extraordinary?

Why aren’t we satisfied with the mundane?Why aren’t we satisfied with the mundane?Why aren’t we satisfied with monotomy?Why aren’t we satisfied with monotomy?Why do we anticipate an encounter with the sublime?Why do we anticipate an encounter with the sublime?Why are we in “awe” when we encounter something Why are we in “awe” when we encounter something that is truly beautiful?that is truly beautiful?Why do we hunger for the extraordinary?Why do we hunger for the extraordinary?

Could the sublime be anticipatory to Him who is the Could the sublime be anticipatory to Him who is the Ultimate Sublime, the Sum-total of His Infinite Ultimate Sublime, the Sum-total of His Infinite Perfections?Perfections?

Cultural Apologetic Argument # 1:Cultural Apologetic Argument # 1:

What happens when humanity is oppressed by What happens when humanity is oppressed by humanistic doctrines such as Marxism? Why humanistic doctrines such as Marxism? Why do some artists strive to construct "shock art“?do some artists strive to construct "shock art“?

Consider an acute observation made by John Consider an acute observation made by John Dewey in his classic work Dewey in his classic work Art as ExperienceArt as Experience::


"Industry has been mechanized and "Industry has been mechanized and an artist cannot work mechanically an artist cannot work mechanically for mass production.... Artists find it for mass production.... Artists find it incumbent... to betake themselves to incumbent... to betake themselves to their work as an isolated means of their work as an isolated means of 'self-expression.' In order not to cater 'self-expression.' In order not to cater to the trend of economic forces, they to the trend of economic forces, they often feel obliged to exaggerate their often feel obliged to exaggerate their separateness to the point of separateness to the point of eccentricity."eccentricity."

Positively, when art is generated from a Christian worldview Positively, when art is generated from a Christian worldview we personally and sociologically illustrate what it means to we personally and sociologically illustrate what it means to

truly be human:truly be human:

"Art is communication, the announcement of "Art is communication, the announcement of observed beauties, the calling of attention to human observed beauties, the calling of attention to human values, the bestowing upon one's fellow human values, the bestowing upon one's fellow human beings of beauty, singing and testifying, rejoicing and beings of beauty, singing and testifying, rejoicing and praising, opening eyes and building an outlook truly praising, opening eyes and building an outlook truly worth of human being." worth of human being."

Hans Rookmaaker in "Norms for Art and Entertainment," Hans Rookmaaker in "Norms for Art and Entertainment," The The Complete Works of Hans RookmaakerComplete Works of Hans Rookmaaker, 6 vols, 3:77. , 6 vols, 3:77.


In his Gifford Lecture series, William Temple makes an interesting In his Gifford Lecture series, William Temple makes an interesting statement:statement:

"It takes a considerable time for a secure aesthetic judgment to be formed, "It takes a considerable time for a secure aesthetic judgment to be formed, and with regard to contemporary art there is much debate. But when a and with regard to contemporary art there is much debate. But when a common judgment is reached after long periods of discussion, it is secure common judgment is reached after long periods of discussion, it is secure as scientific theories never are. Many may be uncertain in this second as scientific theories never are. Many may be uncertain in this second quarter of the twentieth century about the aesthetic rank of Epstein as a quarter of the twentieth century about the aesthetic rank of Epstein as a sculptor or T.S. Eliot as a poet. But there is no serious dispute about sculptor or T.S. Eliot as a poet. But there is no serious dispute about Pheidias or Aeschylus, about Giotto, or Piero, or Botticelli, about Pheidias or Aeschylus, about Giotto, or Piero, or Botticelli, about Velasquez or Rembrandt, about Dante or Shakespeare. No doubt I 'date' Velasquez or Rembrandt, about Dante or Shakespeare. No doubt I 'date' myself by the precise list which I select; Beethoven to Bach; but every myself by the precise list which I select; Beethoven to Bach; but every name thus mentioned is securely established in the list of Masters; and the name thus mentioned is securely established in the list of Masters; and the actual works of the earliest touch us now they touched the hearts of those actual works of the earliest touch us now they touched the hearts of those who knew them first.... It takes longer for the aesthetic judgment to who knew them first.... It takes longer for the aesthetic judgment to become stable than for the scientific, but when it reaches stability it also become stable than for the scientific, but when it reaches stability it also achieves finality as the other does not." ~ achieves finality as the other does not." ~ Nature, Man, and GodNature, Man, and God (Macmillan, 1956), 158-9. (Macmillan, 1956), 158-9.

What type of art is venerated What type of art is venerated andand venerated venerated trans-culturally?trans-culturally?

Ready-made art?Ready-made art?

Shock art (art made with fecal Shock art (art made with fecal matter, animal remains, matter, animal remains, pornography, etc)?pornography, etc)?

Anti-art art (philosophically Anti-art art (philosophically subversive?)subversive?)

What type of art ennobles and enriches What type of art ennobles and enriches society?society?

Art serves a moral aim. Even ancient Greeks realized this: Art serves a moral aim. Even ancient Greeks realized this: Consider the following quotes from Aristophanes:Consider the following quotes from Aristophanes:

““Answer me, for what reasons ought one to admire a poet? Answer me, for what reasons ought one to admire a poet? For ability and advice, because we make the inhabitants of the For ability and advice, because we make the inhabitants of the various cities better men [various cities better men [RanaeRanae, 1008]., 1008].

““But a poet at any rate ought to conceal what is base and not But a poet at any rate ought to conceal what is base and not bring it forward and put it on stage. For mere boys have a bring it forward and put it on stage. For mere boys have a schoolmaster to instruct them, grown men have poets. From schoolmaster to instruct them, grown men have poets. From every point of view it is our duty to speak of good things every point of view it is our duty to speak of good things [[RanaeRanae, 1053-1056]., 1053-1056].

What type of art ennobles and enriches What type of art ennobles and enriches society?society?

Art reflects a moral aim. Consider this observation by Sextus Art reflects a moral aim. Consider this observation by Sextus Empiricus:Empiricus:

““In sum, music is not only a sound of rejoicing, but is heard In sum, music is not only a sound of rejoicing, but is heard also in sacred hymns and feasts and sacrifices to the gods; and also in sacred hymns and feasts and sacrifices to the gods; and because of this it because of this it incitesincites the mind to emulate the Good.” the mind to emulate the Good.”~ ~ Adv. MathemAdv. Mathem. VI. 18. VI. 18

In contrast, “degenerative arts” incites the mind to emulate In contrast, “degenerative arts” incites the mind to emulate what is corrupt. How does this impact us personally and what is corrupt. How does this impact us personally and collectively as a community?collectively as a community?

Argument from Aesthetic Norms of Beauty for Argument from Aesthetic Norms of Beauty for God’s Existence:God’s Existence:

1.1. Aesthetic moral norms of beauty have authority. Aesthetic moral norms of beauty have authority.

2.2. If they have authority, there must be a reliable If they have authority, there must be a reliable motive for human beings to be moral. motive for human beings to be moral.

3.3. No such motive could exist, unless there was an No such motive could exist, unless there was an omniscient, omnipresent, wholly just agent to attach omniscient, omnipresent, wholly just agent to attach sanctions to behavior under aesthetic moral norms sanctions to behavior under aesthetic moral norms of beauty.of beauty.

4.4. There is a God. There is a God.

Bibliography:Bibliography:

Dennis Hutton, “Aesthetic Universals” in Dennis Hutton, “Aesthetic Universals” in The The Routledge Companion to AestheticsRoutledge Companion to Aesthetics, edited by , edited by Dominic McIver Lopes, Dominic Lopes, & Dominic McIver Lopes, Dominic Lopes, & Berys Gaut.Berys Gaut.

can beauty point us to god? a posteriori argument: reasoning from beauty back to god

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